ABSTRACT
Over the last decade, the levels of connectivity and access to the internet for communities affected by crises have increased rapidly. In this context, the chapter examines the evolving dynamics of emerging “connectivity as aid” programmes and associated complexities regarding data governance and protection within a liberalised market-based telecommunications sector. Whilst connectivity has played a key role in enabling digitally enabled humanitarian aid, the sector has been slow to respond to several of the implications this has brought. The authors provide perspective on how humanitarians can keep pace with the emerging digital risks and data protection implications attached to rapid telecommunications development across society and stay ahead of data protection and security threats that may emerge.
The chapter leans on operational practice drawn from the authors’ experiences in connectivity as aid programming and leverages primary data collected through assessments with community members affected by crises. Key considerations are proposed to be taken forward by connectivity as aid practitioners, but also wider points that emphasise the overall importance of the intersection of data protection and connectivity as aid within the scope of humanitarian action.
